“PSIR-

FOUNDATION”

By, Shashank Tyagi

Ex. Consultant, Office of Minister Social welfare, GNCTD
UPSC CSE Coach PSIR Optional, GS - IR, Polity & Governance
LECTURE - 2

Content :

Meaning of Political ?
Is Political Science, really a Science ?
State vs Government
Introduction to Western Political Thought
- Meaning of “West”
PLATO (Introduction)
Plato ( Overview )
➤ Introduction
➤ Sophists
➤ Socrates
➤ Plato
Plato’s Time
His work
Methodology
Influence of Socrates
➤ Theory of Ideas
➤ Theory of Justice
➤ Scheme of Education
➤ Communism of Wives & Property
➤ Ideal State & Philosopher King
➤ Evaluation of Plato
Criticism
Place in Political Thought
POLITICAL SCIENCE & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

➤ Political + Science
➤ “Polis” - Greek word for a “city
state” (Ancient Greek) e.g. Sparta, Athens,
Florence,..
➤Politics (from Greek: politiká, 'affairs of the cities') is the set of
activities that are associated with making decisions in groups,
or other forms of power relations between individuals, such as
the distribution of resources.

➤The academic study of politics is referred to as political

science.
➤ Polity -> Political system
➤ Is Political Science really a science ?
➤ Can any one of you say - Politics has nothing to do with
you ?
Politics impact our lives every day.

Our political choices determine our government, which, in turn,

determines
whether we can vote or consume alcohol,
how much we pay in taxes,
whether we can serve in the armed forces,
where we can build a home,
whether we can run a business in that home,
how much money we can get as a loan for educational expenses,
and even which types of food we eat.

Just about everything in our lives is connected to politics and

government.
State It’s an Idea
Territory considered as an organised political
community.
State has four essential elements—Population,
Territory, Government and Sovereignty.
Government is only one element of the State.

Government It’s Concrete

the group of people with the authority to govern form
a state
the relation between a governed and a
governing word.
 Meaning
of West

Meaning of West

The “Western World” has changed in definition since its first

inception in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome.
In the first millennia, it mostly referred to Christian Europe
 Meaning
of West

(2) European Christianity

Later, as Christianity spread, this came to include:
Germanic regions in the 4th century (Germany, Switzerland) Iberia
(Spain, Portugal), Ireland, and France in the 5th century
Britain in the 6th century
Netherlands in the 7th century
 Meaning
of West

[3] Colonial and Expansionist Powers

Upon the 15th century, the Western world generally referred to
Europe in contrast to areas around the world subject to
colonization, such as Africa, the Americas, and the Asia.
 Meaning
of West

[4] European-aligned Nations

Only until the 18th and 19th centuries, when many of
these colonies would become independent, did the Western
world expand to include countries like the United States,
Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
 Meaning
of West

[5] NATO-aligned nations

In the mid 20th century, the definition of Western world
became especially prominent, as it pitted democratic
capitalist Western Europe and North America against
authoritarian socialist nations like the Soviet Union and
China.
 Meaning
of West

This was expanded into the First (NATO) / Second (Soviet) /

Third World (unaligned) stratification.
 Meaning
of West

Democratic and Advanced Economies

Most common uses of Western World today build upon

that Cold War-era definition with modern alignments.
 Meaning
of West

This includes the US, Canada, all of the European Union

(including former Soviet states), Australia, and New
Zealand.
Countries like Russia and India are typically excluded, on
the basis of economic development and alignment.
 Introduction to
Western Political
Thought

Political science originated with the ancient Greeks in the

first century BCE.

During this time, the philosopher Plato wrote numerous dialogues

about politics, asking about
➤ the nature of justice,
➤ what constitutes good government,
➤ what is truly best for humanity.
 Introduction to
Western Political
Thought

Alfred North Whitehead

Alfred North Whitehead: "the safest characterisation

of the European philosophical tradition is that it
consists of a series of footnotes to Plato.”
Plato ( Overview )
➤ Introduction
➤ Sophists
➤ Socrates
➤ Plato
Plato’s Time
His work
Methodology
Influence of Socrates
➤ Theory of Ideas
➤ Theory of Justice
➤ Scheme of Education
➤ Communism of Wives & Property
➤ Ideal State & Philosopher King
➤ Evaluation of Plato
Criticism
Place in Political Thought
Predecessors of Plato
Sophists
were the 1st political educationist. ▪
Teachings:
• self-interests is over & above the
interests of the society & the state.
• were inspiring the youth to join politics,
suggesting that politics is a means of
good life because it gives access to
power and wealth.
• Athens: No public education
▪ The opportunity of education was
dependent on the paying capacity of a
person.
Acc. to Socrates, Whatever Sophists were teaching was
not true knowledge, thus they were burgling their
students.

Plato also called, Sophist’s teaching as rhetoric, instead of

giving right guidance, they were giving people what they
wanted to listen.
 Socrates
Socrates (470-399 BCE) :

Intro

Life of Socrates

It was Socrates who, in Cicero’s words,

“called down philosophy from the skies.”
Socrates’ Theory of Knowledge
Before Socrates, scholars were engaged in understanding the physical,
chemical and biological properties of life.

Socrates believed that it is not enough to know what constitutes life, rather it is
more important to know what constitutes ‘good life’ or ‘virtuous life.’
Objective of life is to lead ‘good life.’ In order to lead good life, we
should have ‘the knowledge’ of ‘good life.’
The source of ultimate knowledge is within ourselves.

According to him, our soul is the ultimate guide. What we should

do and what we should not, our soul can resolve the dilemma.

To understand the voice of the soul Socrates had proposed the

method of dialectics.
 Socrates

“I know that I know nothing”

 Theory of knowledge: “Knowledge is Virtue”.
(This theory is in the context of Socrates criticism of
Sophists)
▪ Since knowledge is the source of virtue. We can’t live
and lead a good life without the knowledge.
▪ And the good life is required for the enlightenment of
soul.
 Socrates

Dialectics is the way towards it

▪ “Since knowledge is a source of virtue. That state will be
a virtuous state which is ruled by knowledge.” Socrates
▪ Two Types of knowledge :
Opinion = not firm.
True knowledge = firm.
▪ Social well-being is necessary for the well-being of an
individual.
“Man is a social animal” Socrates
 Socrates

For Socrates, "it’s not enough to be a good shoemaker, it’s more

important to be a good human being. "
• Thesis → Anti-thesis → Synthesis
Plato (427 to 347 BCE)
Intro and Background
Born in Ancient Greece - Athens
Family- Plato came from one of the wealthiest and most
politically active families in Athens.
Major Concern: To regain the glory of Athens & become the
ideal state→ a perfect state.
▪ Until his mid-twenties, Athens was involved in a long and
disastrous military conflict:
• Peloponnesian war: Sparta vs Athens: Athens was defeated
Political Background of Plato:

• He could not identify himself with any of the contending

political parties or the succession of corrupt regimes, each
of which brought Athens to further decline

• Plato wanted to know the reasons of decline and defeat

Political Ideology:

• School of thought : Idealist

• Utopian

▪"Ought to be" > "what is”

• Very radical (original or fierce) in his ideas, revolutionary and

looks for holistic changes.
Sources of Influence:
Pythagoras
He suggested that universe can be known through
mathematics.
• "The universe is not in the state of chaos (lawlessness),
there is an order & harmony, there is some purpose behind
everything."
Hence, Plato’s love for geometry and mathematics is
influenced by the Pythagoras.
Plato's Theory of Soul
• Pythagoras' belief about the immortality of the soul was an
influence on Plato.
 Sources of Influence on Plato

Parmenides

Idea of Permanence
Plato's Theory of Forms
 Sources of Influence on Plato

Parmenides

Idea of Permanence
Plato's Theory of Forms
 Sources of Influence on Plato

Heraclitus

“Change is the characteristic feature of

this materialistic world.”
More influence in Mature Plato
 Sources of Influence on Plato

Socrates He considered Socrates the most just man of

his time.
Socrates view that knowledge is a source of
virtue=> Plato believed that if Athens has to
become a virtuous state then there is no
other option than the rule of knowledge.
followed the methods of Socrates’
dialectical methods
“All that is Platonic, is Socratic”.
Professor Maxey (Political Philosophies,
1961)
“In Plato, Socrates Lived again”

Socrates showed him that the philosophical life is superior

to the life of a politician.
"I thank God," he used to say, "that I was born greek and not barbarian,
freeman and not slave, man and not woman, and above all, that I was
born in the age of Socrates"
With Socrates' death, Plato came to recognise, that philosophy and
politics cannot be kept apart.
• It compelled Plato to think philosophically about politics in deeper and
radical sense than had his teacher.
Significance of Plato

• He is well known as the Father of Political

Philosophy

• “Western political philosophy is nothing but the

footnote of the idea of Plato & Aristotle” – Alfred
North Whitehead
“One can be either platonic or anti-platonic but
can never be non-platonic.” – Karl Popper
Year Question
2020 ✘ No direct question
2019 "Explain Aristotle's Critique of Plato's idealism". (20 Marks)
2018 ✘ No direct question
2017 ✘ No direct question
 2016 "Plato was enemy of open society." (Popper). Comment. (20 Marks)

2010-2015 ✘ No direct question

Comment: "Western thought, one might say, has been either platonic or anti platonic but hardly ever
2009
non platonic." (Popper). (20 Marks)

2008 ✘ No direct question

Comment: " Plato's communism is a supplementary machinery to give effect to and reinforce that spirit
2007
which education is to create."

2006 Comment : “the state is individual writ large.” (Plato) (20 Marks)

2005 Comment : “the state is individual writ large.” (Plato) (20 Marks)

2004 Plato’s theory of education ‘is the logical result of his conception of justice’. Discuss. (60 Marks)

2003 Explain Plato’s communism and compare it with modern communism.

2001, 2002 ✘ No direct question

Comment : “Until philosophers are kings, or kings and princes of this world have the spirit and power of
2000
philosophy, cities will never have rest from evil.” (Plato) (20 Marks)

1994-1999 ✘ No direct question

1993 Comment : “For, no law or ordinance is mightier than knowledge” (Plato) (20 Marks)
Prominent works of Plato:

“The Republic”
• Young Plato
• greatest of all his works.
• Plato of ‘the Republic’ is what is known to
the world: the idealist, the philosopher and
the radical (Young Plato)
• not only a treatise on politics, but is also a
treatise dealing with every aspect of human
life.
• It, in fact, deals with –
metaphysics (the idea of the Good),
moral philosophy (virtue of human soul),
education (the scientific training the rulers ought to have), politics (the
Ideal State),
the philosophy of history (the process of historical change from the Ideal
State to the tyrannical regime),
economy (communism of property and families)
 Prominent works of Plato:

“The Statesman”
Written in transitional phase i.e.
between the young and the maturity.
He is bitter and satirical, and seems to
be sadly conscious of the realities of
human life.
Yet the ideal glory of the Platonic
philosophy is not extinguished. He is
still looking for a city in which kings
are philosophers.
 Prominent works of Plato:

“The laws”
work of the matured Plato; becomes more
practical & pragmatic.
Plato’s last, longest work
a mixture of democratic and authoritarian
principles
Laws is not simply about political thought,
but involves extensive discussions on
psychology, ethics, theology, epistemology,
and metaphysics.
 Prominent works of Plato:

“The laws”

Laws combines political philosophy with applied legislation, going into

great detail concerning what laws and procedures should be.
Examples include conversations on whether drunkenness should be
allowed in the city, how citizens should hunt.

emphasis on a mixed regime, a varied penal system, and its attempt at

rational theology.
 PLATO
Theories

Theory of Soul:
• Every person has soul
• Every soul => 3 elements
Reason Courage Appetite
Theory of Soul: PLATO

There are 3 types of people based on this

Theory of Soul: PLATO

Each will stick to his duty and no interference into the

tasks of each other.

"proper provision, proper protection and proper

leadership" - C.L. Wayper
 PLATO

Theory of Ideas:

• at the centre of Plato’s philosophy

• based on Socrates theory of knowledge.
• According to Plato, "the knowledge of virtue is
the highest level of knowledge; knowledge is
attainable; and so is virtue attainable"
Theory of Ideas: PLATO

To understand the idea, we need an enlightened soul.

• Thus, only the Philosopher who is a man of reason can
create the ideal state on this planet earth.
Theory of Ideas: PLATO

• But, How the soul can know the idea?

The soul is a permanent part of our existence.
When our body dies, the soul goes in the kingdom of God
where it observes the kingdom of God and when it comes back,
it recollects.

• However, every soul does not have equal capacity to recollect.

 PLATO

Comment: “Reality is a shadow of ideas”. (Plato) (20 Marks)

It explains Plato’s concept of reality.

Plato "when we look at the material world we think that this
world is real. It happens because of our ignorance. What we
consider as real is an illusion of reality.”
Consider this idea of "The Allegory of the Cave"
PLATO
Theory of Ideas: PLATO

Allegory of caves

Like men in caves, ignorant men consider shadow

as the reality When pushed out of the cave, into
the sunlight.
Realise that what they considered reality was just
a shadow
Theory of Ideas: PLATO

Parts of the Universe

▪ Physical - Visible through Eyesight
▪ Spiritual - Invisible - Hidden behind the physical Reality -
Reason is required to understand it

▪ According to Plato - Supreme Reality lies behind the

observable reality.
• Supreme reality - Ideas - Reason
Theory of Ideas: PLATO

• The essential characteristics of Plato’s theory of Forms would,

thus, include:
• There is a difference b/w
• ‘form’ or ‘idea’;
• ‘knowledge’ and ‘appearance’; • ‘actual’ or ‘opinion’
Theory of Ideas: PLATO

as there is difference b/w

• the ideal/invisible world & the physical/visible world.
• The form is the ultimate object of appearance.
• The actual world can attain the ideal world.
• Knowledge can replace opinion and is attainable.
Theory of Ideas: PLATO

• The visible world is the shadow of the real world.

• What appears to be is not the ‘Form’, but is a form
of the ‘Form’.
 PLATO

E.g :

OR
What “Beauty” is ? The “thing”/Person
Realm of “Knowledge” which/who is beautiful
Realm of “Opinion”
Theory of Ideas: PLATO

Plato's theory of forms is criticised as:

Nietzsche:

“Plato was a liar when he says

that there is ultimate reality and
that it can be understood”
Theory of Ideas: PLATO
Criticism

• The nature of reality remains a debatable issue.

• According to Post- modernist, "Reality is too
complex and vast that it is beyond the capacity of
the human mind to comprehend the ultimate
reality."
 PLATO
Criticism

Michael Oakeshott

In the world of politics we move in

borderless and bottomless sea
 PLATO
Theory of Justice:
In Republic - Plato uses dialectics to arrive at a conclusive Idea of
Justice.
• There is a dialogue among Socrates(who voices Plato’s argument)
and four
other members of Athens.

Participants are :-
• Socrates- (Plato)
➢Cephalous
➢Polemarchus
➢Thrasymachus
➢Glaucon
 PLATO
Theory of Justice:
CEPHALUS
• Justice is doing one duties
• Justice is paying one’s dues.
 PLATO
Theory of Justice:

Plato’s reply to Cephalus

Fine with argument of duty.

• whether it would be right to return a weapon
to person who has turned mad.
 PLATO
Theory of Justice:

Arguments of Polemarchus

Do good to friend
Harm to enemy
Theory of Justice: PLATO

Plato’s reply to Polemarchus

 PLATO
Theory of Justice:
Thrasymachus

1. Justice is the interest of the strong

2. Might is the right

• Argument of power is always

greater power of argument.
 PLATO
Theory of Justice:

Thrasymachus

• realistic view about state, law and justice.

• means might is right -survival of the fittest.

Theory of Justice: PLATO

Thrasymachus

In any govt. who are in government are the strongest

whatever they decide becomes law.

• Ruling class make laws in their own interest.

• Hence when we observe laws we are advancing the
interest of the ruling class.
 PLATO
Theory of Justice:

• Hence whenever possible we can serve our interest by

evading the law.
• In Thrasymachus we see the earliest expression
of civil disobedience.
 PLATO
Theory of Justice:

Plato Reply
• Plato does not have a very convincing counter
argument against Thrasymachus.

• Still Plato suggest that it is wrong to think that a

state and laws are only in the interest of ruling class
and it is our duty to observe the laws .
Theory of Justice: PLATO

GLAUCON

Justice is the interest of the weak.

State is a contract between strong and weak.

Theory of Justice: PLATO

Plato’s response to GLAUCON

• It is also wrong to think that law of state

are only in interest of weak.

• State is natural.
• It is also wrong to think that law of state are only
in interest of weak.
 PLATO
Theory of Justice:

Origin of the state

➢ State originates in the natural needs of man

➢ Man is social by nature, as no person is self
sufficient.
 PLATO
Theory of Justice:

Plato’s theory of Justice :

• does not consist in mere adherence to the laws.
• based on the inner nature of the human spirit.
• he did not approve justice being good for some and evil
for others.
Theory of Justice: PLATO

A just state is achieved with an eye to the "good of the

whole -the giver as well as the receiver, for friends as
well as foes”

• Harming someone makes him worse & purpose of

Justice can never be to make a person worse.

• Purpose of Justice: Peace, harmony and excellence

• Source of perfect idea of justice = Just SOUL

 PLATO
Theory of Justice:

What is a ‘Just soul’?

The one which is at peace with itself & in harmony

with others.
 PLATO
Theory of Justice:

• What does it imply?

• It implies that justice is proper-stationing in the life
& functional specialisation.
 PLATO
Theory of Justice:

What is justice according to him:

Justice is a Duty: the rulers, the military, the artisan all do what
they ought to do.
the rulers, the military, the artisan all do what they ought to
do. In such a society, the rulers are wise, the soldiers are
brave, and the producers exercise self-control or
temperance.
 PLATO
Theory of Justice:

• Justice means specialisation and excellence

 PLATO

➢ State represents interdependence or division of

labour.
• men of reason are dependent on men of courage
and appetite.
•similarly man of appetite is dependent on other
classes.
• each task is important and hence that should be on
mutual respect towards each other.
✓State is the individual writ large.
In short, 3 components of Justice
• Proper positioning of the elements
• Functional Specialization on the basis of quality of soul
• Non-interference in each other’s tasks
Barker
says, “Justice is, for Plato, at once a part of human
virtue and the bond which joins men together in the
states. It makes man good and makes him social”.
Sabine
expresses it as “Justice, for Plato, is a bond which
holds a society together”.
Criticism on Plato's theory of Justice:
• It does not give any liberty to the individual,
• It sacrifices individual for the sake of the state,
• No rights to the individual hence create the basis for
state’s totalitarianism.

• His theory is not only a bad politics but also a bad

psychology & Philosophy.
Theory of education:

• Why education?
• The education system is a process through
which the qualities of the soul can be
deducted.

• For Plato, Education necessary for all the classes

in society,
Theory of education:

• Especially for those who govern the people.

• For Plato, social education is a means to social
justice.
• Education, for Plato, had been a solution to all the
vexed questions.
Theory of education:

• Background:
• Observed the education system of Athens and
that of Sparta and made following analysis:
Theory of education:

Athens Sparta

👍Teaching logic, maths, literature 👎More focus on physical

and philosophy. education.

👎The system was in private

👍State-sponsored education
hands: on paying capacity

👍Equality to women,
👎Women were neglected military education to both the
sexes.
Theory of education:

Combined the merits of two systems :

• Features :
State-sponsored
State-controlled
Universalisation of primary education
Equal opportunity to women.
Theory of education:

Centered around the guardian

class, ignored the producing class.
Aims at attaining the physical, mental, intellectual,
moral development of human personality.
Theory of education:

Three stages of procuring knowledge:

Type Age Group Details

Gymnastics, physical
Pre-primary 0-6
education, etc.
Elementary 6-18 All basic subjects
Those failing->
1st Screening Test
producer class
Military training 18-20
Those failing =>
2nd screening test
Soldier class (Special
Higher 20-35

Practical 35-50
Theory of education:

At the age of 50, becomes qualified for becoming

philosopher king or queen.
Theory of education:

Many philosophers will be eligible to become the rulers will be

produced.
There is no conflict because the 1st love for the philosopher is the love
of knowledge and hence they have no appetite for the power.
However, as a duty towards the state, they will accept the
responsibility reluctantly.
Theory of education:

Aimed at preparing the

Class Prepare for

Administrative
Rulers
statesmanship

Soldiers Military skill

Material
Producers
productivity
Theory of education:

ROUSSEAU
"Republic: Best book ever written on education"
Criticism of Plato’s theory of education :

Plato’s diagnosis is correct but his prescription is

wrong.
Overlooks human psychology & remains too much
involved in philosophy
Unexpectedly and unduly expensive
Criticism of Plato’s theory of education :

Creation of obedient citizen rather than

creative person
'Interest' of person isn't considered
Criticism of Plato’s theory of education :

Limited in nature and was restrictive in extent

Ignored the producing class
Criticism of Plato’s theory of education :

Laying more emphasis on mathematics than on

literature.
Too abstract and too theoretical, so much so, it lost
sight of administrative intricacies
Criticism of Plato’s theory of education :

Aristotle:
"Ruler has to be worldly wise rather than wise in
the world of ideas"
Theory of communism:

• Communism = common ownership.

• Plato's theory:
For him, the main method to create an ideal state is through
education while communism is proposed as a supplementary
mechanism or an additional safeguard.
Theory of communism:

Communism of Property :

• The guardian class is not allowed to own private property.

• to check corruption
• Guardian= ruler + soldier
• Though Philosopher king has the true knowledge still
Plato does not want to take any chance. He proposed
communism as a safeguard
Theory of communism:

• According to Sabine, so firmly was Plato convinced of the

pernicious effects of wealth upon government that he saw
no way to abolish the evil except by abolishing wealth itself.
Theory of communism:

Communism of family:

Which problem is bigger ? Family or Property ?

Answer= The family > property.

It’s for the family that people want to earn money and acquire
property.
Theory of communism:

Family leads to not only corruption but also nepotism.

Theory of communism:

"Anxiety for one's children",

Sabine concludes on behalf of Plato, "is a form of
self- seeking more insidious than the desire for
property…".
Theory of communism:

Plato has an additional purpose with

Communism of the family; especially marriage.
Theory of communism:

• State will decide who will marry whom.

• According to him,
"the only purpose of marriage is procreation,
only the ablest man or women will be permitted to
marry so that the best race emerges."
Theory of communism:

Once the child is born the state will take over the
child, which means that the child will be the
responsibility of the state.

• As per this rule, no rulers or child will be ever able to

recognize each other and hence for the ruler all
children will be like his own child.
Theory of communism:

• There is an indirect consequence of Plato’s communism

of family that it results in the liberation of women.

• As earlier, women were unable to participate in the affairs

of city-state because they’ve been completely involved in
the family.
Theory of communism:

Features of Theory of communism of Family:

Eugenics
Nationalization of the family
Emancipation of women
Greater freedom for women and for men
To develop their highest capacities, a more complete and
living solidarity of the state.
 PLATO
Theory of communism:

• But, why not for the producer class?

• It was neither needed nor possible.
they were not in power and hence no scope for
corruption and nepotism => not needed
men of appetite => can’t control their appetite=> not
possible
 PLATO
Theory of communism:

Questions asked !

Should Plato be called as the father of communism?

Compare Platonic communism with modern communism.

OR

Explain Plato’s communism and compare it with modern

communism.
 PLATO
Theory of communism:

Communism in current parlance: 20th-century political

philosophy associated with the ideas of Karl Marx.
Response to exploitation faced by working classes at the hands
of capitalists.

Purpose:
The uplift of working class or poor.
 PLATO
Theory of communism:

Similarities:

• Some scholars like Maxey and others find some

similarities • Like abolition of private property

On deeper analysis:
• similarities are superficial & the difference is
fundamental.
 PLATO
Theory of communism:

Why differences:

• For Plato – Idea is ultimate reality.

• For Karl Marx – Idea is false consciousness and matter
is the reality
Theory of communism: PLATO
 PLATO
Theory of communism:

Q. Criticism of Plato’s Theory of Communism

 PLATO
Theory of communism:

Aristotle:
• “Everyone’s property is no one’s responsibility.”
• Aristotle stands corrected when we see tragedy of commons->
climate change, overgrazing etc.
There are benefits of Private property too such as -
It gives the sense of achievement, motivation to work hard.
The scope of charity.
 PLATO
Theory of communism:

Family is the time-tested institution => gives

emotional stability
• Note that: It is Partial : only for Guardians.
• Communism of wives not progressive — Going
back to barbaric ages.
Theory of communism:

Karl Popper

"Plato was enemy of open society." (Popper).Comment.

(20 Marks)
Communism of wives and families was bound to create
confusion if not disorder-
• one female would be the wife of all the guardians and
one male, the husband – of all the females.
 PLATO
Theory of communism:

• Aristotle: "a father would have a thousand sons, and a

son, thousand fathers."
Common children would tend to be neglected, for
everybody’s child would be nobody’s baby.
 PLATO
Theory of communism:

• Doubtful if the state-controlled mating would ever be

workable
• Reduce men and women to the levels of mere animals by
suggesting the temporary marital relationship.
 PLATO
Theory of communism:

• Pushing us towards the Barbaric ages. too rigid,

too strict, and too stringent.
• A system of marriage which is neither
monogamy, nor bigamy, or polygamy/polyandry.
 PLATO
Theory of communism:

• Too idealistic, utopian, imaginary, and accordingly, far

away from the realities of life.
• It is doubtful if communism of families would bring a
greater degree of unity by making the guardians a single
family.
 PLATO

Rule of the Philosopher King (PK)

 PLATO
Rule of the Philosopher King (PK)

Plato urged that the ruler should be the one who knows
the art, science and knowledge of administration.

• Socrates used to say: “The public is ill, we must cure

our masters.”
 PLATO
Rule of the Philosopher King (PK)

• Plato “Until philosophers are the ruler or the

rulers learn philosophy there is no end to the
predicament or problems of human life.”
 PLATO
Rule of the Philosopher King (PK)

Power:
The king enjoys absolute powers. There is no limitation
on the philosopher king except that he can’t make
changes in the constitution of the ideal state.

• Why this absolute power:

• “For no law or ordinance is mightier than knowledge”-
Plato
 PLATO
Rule of the Philosopher King (PK)

• Not limited by book of law because, the law represents

average wisdom whereas, Philosopher king has ultimate
knowledge.

• Similarly, the Public opinion can’t be the limit on the

philosopher king.
• In the words of Plato, “it is foolish to limit the expert
practitioner of medicine with a book of medicine”.
 PLATO
Rule of the Philosopher King (PK)

Only limitations are the constitution of the republic

as given by Plato.
 PLATO
Rule of the Philosopher King (PK)

"Those states are best governed where the rulers are

reluctant to govern rather than where they are eager to
govern”
Key Points :
Diagnosis - correct but prescription - wrong.
Person not interested in his job, who does his job just out of duty
cannot do justice to his job.
Overlooks psychology, too much philosophy.
May not be the best way to tackle corruption, to achieve good
governance.
 PLATO
Criticism on Plato's PK:

Aristotle
• had criticised Plato for giving absolute powers to the
philosopher king.
• It’s not practically possible to find out the philosopher king.
• Philosopher king who is enjoying unlimited powers will go
tyrannical (a state under cruel and oppressive government).
 PLATO
Criticism on Plato's PK:

• Aristotle suggests that law is also a time-tested

institution. Law represents the collective wisdom of
ages which is preferable over one man.
• In the words of Aristotle, “law is a reason free from
passions”.
• Aristotle suggests that “A ruler has to be under the law.”
 PLATO
Criticism on Plato's PK:

Lord Acton:
"Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely."
Criticism on Plato's PK: PLATO
Karl Popper

Plato as 1st Fascist:

“Plato’s political program far from being morally superior to
fascism is actually identical to fascism”.

Why he says so ?
• Basic features of Fascism:
▪ Absolute Powers to State.
▪ No rights to the individuals, only duties.
▪ Against democracy.
▪ Importance of leadership – Leader is a Super-man.
▪ Fascist societies = regimented societies. That is, all institutions
are under state control.
▪ Hitler believed in the concept of Racism
Criticism on Plato's PK: PLATO
Is he right ?
• Levinson, in his book, titled, “In defence of Plato“,
 PLATO
Criticism on Plato's PK:

has suggested that Plato & Fascism differs in time and space.
It is like comparing apples to oranges.
There are some superficial similarities but fundamental
differences. Fascism is not a coherent ideology. It is better to
call fascism as a propaganda rather than ideology and
philosophy.
 PLATO
Criticism on Plato's PK:

Fascism is opportunism, whatever suited to the fascist leaders they

incorporated in the philosophy of fascism that is why fascism is
known as “Hodgepodge” of ideas.
 PLATO
Criticism on Plato's PK:

• Plato believes in the reason whereas Fascism is the critique of

reason. Plato never recommended the use of violence, the fascist state
was coercive in nature. Fascism is a reality whereas Plato’s Republic is
a Utopian.
• However, we can’t say, the objective of Plato was Exploitation of
people was to give the life of virtue to all persons living in the state.
 PLATO
Criticism on Plato's PK:

• Fascism is Power politics whereas Plato was against power.

Fascism supports private property and traditional institutions of
family & marriages.
• Thus, it will not be justified if we say Plato the first fascist.
 PLATO

C.E.M. Joad

there are fundamental difference between

Fascism and Plato’s ideal state as the latter
was based on the ideas of absolute good and
justice.
 PLATO

“Plato as the father of totalitarianism”. Comment.

• Here,
▪Totalitarianism = Total control of the states
▪In the western world totalitarianism is a phenomenon of a
20th century. Examples: Fascism & Nazism, Stalin-ism.
• Present times, China, Saudi Arabia, North-Korea, former
USSR, Taliban and Afghanistan can be the examples.
 PLATO

Karl Popper

• called Plato as the father of Totalitarianism. State has

complete control over the life of persons, not only the
public sphere of life but even in personal matters like
family & marriages.
 PLATO

• However, it won’t be justified to call Plato a totalitarian thinker.

• Whatever examples of Totalitarianism we have are the exploitative
states, Plato’s intentions were not to create a coercive state rather
he wanted to create a state which can give the opportunity for
excellence to all.
 PLATO

Hannah Arendt

the 20th-century political philosopher has analysed

totalitarianism in her book, “On totalitarianism”.

She defines totalitarianism as the rule of terror and

violence.

We can’t say, if, that ideal state was the rule of terror &
violence. Hence, we should resist the temptation of
calling Plato as a totalitarianism thinker.
 PLATO

Plato as the first feminist

“Feminism” is an umbrella term for a range of views about

injustices against women. Why it is said so:
• That Plato gives equality of opportunity to women to get
educated & to join public sphere.
• That too in the patriarchal society of Athens.
• That Plato does not believe that women suffer from any
natural disability w.r.t becoming philosopher queen.
 PLATO

Plato’s communism of family also has the liberating

influence on women.
State to take care of children - women to participate in
politics
 PLATO

Some do not agree:

• His main concern wasn't upliftment of women
• He talks about equal opportunity to women because he wanted that
state should not be deprived of services of the half of humans.

However, we can say that Plato is much ahead of his times when he
gives an opportunity to women to get educated and join politics